
Critical Oxygen
We teach athletes and coaches how to optimize their physiology and maximize their endurance potential! By speaking to experts with backgrounds in research, coaching, nutrition, and physiological testing we bring the science of endurance sport success directly to you in an applied way!
Latest episodes

Nov 26, 2023 • 1h 4min
What's the most important physiological trait for endurance performance? | #7 ft. Jonah Rosner
Welcome to the Critical Oxygen Podcast! In this episode Jonah Rosner, MS, CSCS, and I talk about predictors of performance and how we use testing to determine training plans.
Enjoy!
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If you have a question or topic you want us to address, leave a comment!
Follow Phil on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/criticalo2
Follow Jonah on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jonah_jarperformance
Interested in testing, courses, or other long form content check out the critical oxygen website - https://www.criticaloxygen.com
OUTLINE:
0:00 – Introduction and Topic Overview
2:15 – Jonah's Impromptu 27-Mile Run
4:00 – Fueling Strategy and Carbohydrate Oxidation
6:24 – The Role of Nutrition in Performance
8:08 – Influence of Diet on Bone Health
9:55 – The Importance of Adequate Caloric Intake
11:37 – Motor Unit Activation and Muscle Fiber Types
13:53 – Fine-Tuning Muscle Recruitment for Efficiency
16:08 – Economy and Its Relationship to Efficiency
18:05 – Neuromuscular Components and Metabolic Efficiency
20:23 – Muscle Contraction Types and Energy Expenditure
22:03 – The Complexity of Human Physiology in Performance
23:34 - The Importance of VO2 Max in Endurance Sports
25:02 - Benefits and Challenges of High-Intensity Training
28:40 - Comparing Training Strategies and Adaptations
31:05 - Using VO2 Max to Guide Training
35:28 - VO2 Max in CrossFit
42:47 - Factors Influencing CrossFit Performance
43:24 - CrossFit Requirements
44:09 - Predictors of Performance
45:07 - CrossFit Games 5K
46:21 - Individualized Training
47:26 - Training Based on Sport Demands
48:05 - Zone 2 vs. High-Intensity Interval Training
50:05 - Thresholds Defined
57:19 - Power and Speed Adaptation
59:26 - Training with Heart Rate Zones
1:01:45 - Future Topics

Nov 26, 2023 • 42min
The Importance of Movement Efficiency in Crossfit | #8 ft. Andy St. Germain
Welcome to the Critical Oxygen Podcast! In this episode Andy St. Germain and I talk about predictors of performance in endurance sport and how they relate to Crossfit. We also touch on the most important predictor of performance for Crossfit.
Enjoy!
Enjoying these podcasts? Subscribe to get notified when new episodes are released.
If you have a question or topic you want us to address, leave a comment!
Follow Phil on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/criticalo2
Follow Andy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyst.germain/
Interested in testing, courses, or other long form content check out the critical oxygen website - https://www.criticaloxygen.com
OUTLINE:
0:00 – Introduction
1:01 – CrossFit as an Endurance Sport
3:00 – Importance of Endurance Training
5:42 – Balancing High Intensity and Endurance
9:44 – The Importance of Consistency
13:25 – Slow Down and Absorb Training
15:06 – Predictors of Performance in CrossFit
19:05 – Efficiency of Movement
21:27 – Building Efficiency in CrossFit
27:07 – The Role of VO2 Max and Threshold
32:42 – Genetic Factors in Athletic Potential
36:37 – Developing Coordination and Movement Efficiency
39:56 – Zone Two Training and Efficiency
41:00 - Outro

Nov 16, 2023 • 1h 3min
Is Economy the Most Important Variable for Triathlon Performance? | #6 ft. Aaron Geiser
Welcome to the Critical Oxygen Podcast! In this episode Coach Aaron Geiser and I talk about Aaron's training/taper update, the predictors of triathlon performance and how Aaron uses them in his coaching, and what the most important variable for triathlon performance is.
Enjoy!
Enjoying these podcasts, subscribe to get notified when new episodes are released.
If you have a question or topic you want us to address, leave a comment!
Follow Phil on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/criticalo2
Follow Aaron on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/triageiser/
OUTLINE:
0:00 – Introduction
1:12 – Aaron’s training/race update
3:12 – Why you feel like garbage during a taper
4:18 – Different athletes responses to taper
5:53 – How Aaron prescribes a taper
10:47 – Race week workouts
12:42 – Why getting in the pool keeps you sharp
13:35 – How each triathlon event effects the next
15:12 – Why pool fitness is important for triathlon performance
17:23 – Inefficiency with swimming
19:15 – The importance of economy for triathlon performance
19:52 – What are the predictors of triathlon performance?
21:04 – The importance of VO2max for triathlon
26:18 – How to train based on your expected time/distance
28:09 – Don’t forget to train your weaknesses
29:26 – Think of training as a sound equalizer
31:55 – Borrowing from Peter Attia
34:06 – What is first threshold?
37:55 – Stop being obsessed with power!
42:09 – Why we like watts
43:28 – The importance of using other variables (not just watts)
46:08 – Should you guide your workouts by effort?
49:50 – Paralysis by analysis
52:13 – Efficiency revisited/Gait analysis for running
55:39 – Why efficiency is important for triathlon
57:33 – How aerodynamics effects your biking
1:01:35 – Outro

Nov 3, 2023 • 55min
Why Your Training is Stagnant?! | #2 ft. Aaron Geiser
Welcome to the Critical Oxygen Podcast! In this episode Coach Aaron Geiser and I talk about how we met, Aaron's ironman taper, and how reducing speed or being aware of your intensity is extremely important for your endurance performance and more.
Enjoy!
Enjoying these podcasts, subscribe to get notified when new episodes are released.
If you have a question or topic you want us to address, leave a comment!
Follow Phil on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/criticalo2
Follow Aaron on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/triageiser/
OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:59 - Aaron's Ironman Taper
5:11 - Zone 2 Training, Go Easier!
8:30 - Physiological Training - Why you may be stagnant
12:40 - Why type A individuals Struggle
14:09 - How not to train
15:06 - Was COVID beneficial?
18:56 - Stop over racing!
22:08 - Loving training reduces training stress?!
25:58 - Sleep more!
27:30 - When to take an easy day?!
30:36 - Why you should warm-up?
35:52 - Nobody cares about your training
36:52 - Take chances!
37:54 - Aaron's background / Why we got into endurance racing?
48:44 - When having an ego is a good thing!?
51:00 - How to choose a career (maybe).
53:33 - Outro
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